USB Microwave Oven – Smallest in the World

Beanzawave is the name of this brand new USB-powered gadget from the American food company Heinz. It is the world’s smallest, portable microwave oven.

This small but hot device, measuring 7.4(H) x 6.2(W) x 5.9(D) inches, is still only a prototype the technology required to make it into a real product exists. The price will be around $160 if Heinz ever does decide to make this USB microwave oven into something that you can buy.

17 Comments

Not sure I believe this is even a working prototype device. It looks like one of those USB cup warmers (which only use resistive heating) with a little cabinet built on top. There doesn’t seem to be any safety interlock for the door – I realise this might be because it’s a prototype, but I doubt it.

Guys I think you are missing the concept.
While you are right that a USB port cannot supply enough power to heat food at a reasonable rate using microwaves in real time, over a longer period it can supply enough power to do just about anything.

This microwave has rechargeable Lithium Polymer batteries in the bottom end of it. This allows the device to use nearly as much current as it wants at any given time, while the USB port simply keeps the batteries charged. Most of the time the device will be plugged in and NOT microwaving anything. The LiPos act as a buffer. Not only that, but you can unplug the unit and take it with you wherever you want. (that’s why there is a handle on the top.) That said, don’t expect to make popcorn with this device, it simply isn’t made to do that. It won’t have the power.
The thing is simply too small to be able to safely house any form of electronics that can handle the current required for that. For a device this size to have that power, it would require about 300v DC. This would be about 81 separate lithium polymer cells for nominal voltage. At that point the device would be extremely dangerous and would require significant waterproofing to be safe. It is possible, but it would be expensive!

However if you need to heat food up on the go, or while at your desk, this would be perfect.

this will never work, the maximum load a usb port can 2.5 watts, that will never ever heat somthing, my 800w microwave takes ages cook, this at max will be 320 times less than an average low power microwave.

why is it that no one reads the artical but just looks at the picture… THIS MICRO WAVE IS BATERY POWERED the USB is for Charging only most people know that a usb port wont opperate a microwave… but charge a battery.. well every one knows it can do that just fine. the day people start reading the artical first is the day people stop complaining…..further more this uniot could find a nice place in the market in btween truckers and RViers to collage kidds

Related Articles

We have seen a lot of fun and weird USB drives here at GeekAlerts – from strawberries to carabiners. But what about those who want to wear their storage device in a more fashionable manner, maybe like a pendant or as a stylish keyring? Let’s […]

With so many cool oven mitts to select from, why not get one to go with the current season? I mean, that’s not exactly something you can do with the Food Fighter Boxing Glove Oven Mitts, Pixel Oven Mitts, or Bandage Oven Gloves now can […]

Help! I’ve just been bitten by a shark–not. (And I don’t wish or have even the slightest desire to ever be bitten by one, no thank you.) Nobody wants to be bitten by a shark but I’m sure a lot of people would like to […]

As winter continues to creep up on us, the days are getting colder and colder. But don’t worry. This year you’ll be able to sit by your computer and laugh it all away. Here’s a list of 10 USB gadgets to help you prepare for […]

Round 1. In the left corner we have Marty Meatloaf who’s a lean, mean protein machine. On the right, it’s Peter Potroast, a.k.a. the meat pounder. Who will get knocked out of the blazing inferno first? You be the judge when you wear the Food Fighter Boxing Glove […]

Can’t be bothered to slip on some oven mitts, even though they’re as quirky as the Pixel Oven Mitts or adorable like the Pac-Man Oven Mitts? It’s generally a bad idea (and a widespread one, at that) to grab hot bowls and plates straight from […]

A lot of us geeks have to eventually move out of our parents’ basements and into our own places. That usually means learning how to cook for ourselves, accumulating new kitchen stuff, and how bout getting rid of mom’s hand-me-down oven mitts from some craft fair? These 8-bit […]

Have you burned your hands lately? If you somehow misplaced your Pacman Oven Mitts or dropped your Cool Fingers Microwave Grips somewhere and couldn’t wait any longer to take your bowl of chili out of the microwave, then that spells trouble for your poor fingers. […]

What’s the most important kitchen appliance? The microwave. And who’s the cutest kitty figure on the planet? Hello Kitty. Well guess what? In this world there exists a hot-pink Hello Kitty Microwave that could belong to you. If you’re looking for a compact microwave that’s definitely gets higher cute […]

We all know that Pac-Man’s favorite snacks are power pellets and ghosts, but it’s not like he’s about to turn down piping-hot goods straight out of the oven. With a mouth as big as his body, his pie hole is ready for anything. That’s why our nostalgic buddy […]

This Star Trek Spock Oven Mitt is perfect for baking Vulcan goodies in a warm oven during the fall months while wearing this I Am Spock Vulcan Hoodie at the same time. Bake long and prosper. It’s a logical accessory if you want to avoid […]

If you keep a journal, you can record your thoughts in an ordinary notebook or in something totally unique like this Steampunk Handmade Wooden Journal With Antique Skeleton Key. This one-of-a-kind, handmade journal features a gorgeous wood cover and contains 144 hand torn pages. Take […]